MLB Prediction: AL West

So here's the final of our division prediction. The American League West, who had an unlikely champion last season, the Oakland Athletics. The Angels retooled, again, while the Mariners tried too and the division got a new whopping boy.

1) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I like the Angels a lot for one simple reason, another year of chemistry. Also, they happened to add Josh Hamilton to go along with Albert Pujols, Mark Trumbo, and that kid Trout (above). The starters are the issue with this team, there's no problem at the top with Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson, but the rest of the rotation is a bunch of what if's. If newcomer Tommy Hanson can be Tommy Hanson he'll be a legit number three, if Jason Vargas can be an innings eater he'll be a good number four. The back end of the bullpen needs a healthy Ryan Madsen, he'll miss the beginning of the season still recovering from Tommy John surgery. For some reason lately, closers are having trouble returning from TJ surgery (Joe Nathan took 2 years, Brian Wilson) if Madsen can return to 2011 form, the Angels are good there. Bottom line, there is way too much offense for this team not to win this division

2) Seattle Mariners

I love the Mariners offseason moves, this team is coming. They finished up last season very respectively and the front office saw that and is trying to capitalize on it. They needed power so they went and got Kendrys Morales and Michael Morse (above). They have fantastic prospects coming, last year's first round pick catcher Mike Zunino will be behind the plate at some point this season. He will also have the privilege of not only catching King Felix but also two of the best starting pitching prospects in the game in Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen. All three of these youngster will have a huge say in the Mariners season. Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak and Jesus Montero are three big what if's but if they can finally have their break out seasons, which the end of last season showed is quite possible, they're the missing pieces that can really push this team into contention.

3) Texas Rangers

One of the most underrated players in the league is Adrian Beltre (above). This guy does it all, he's going to have to take over the role of leader for the Rangers now that Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli are all gone from the once potent lineup. However, this teams window has completely closed. This team is going to really regret losing Michael Young and a lot of their prospects haven't been panning out (Tanner Scheppers, Julio Borbon, Mitch Moreland, Martin Perez) which means be weary of Mike Olt, Jurickson Profar and Leonys Martin, who are all expected to play huge roles this season.

4) Oakland Athletics

The A's run was nothing short of amazing last year but I see a hangover here. Yoenis Cespedes (above) needs to avoid the sophomore slump, as do starting pitchers Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone, and AJ Griffin. The most important starter is Brett Anderson, the lefty can be as good as anyone but health has been his problem. The A's also added a lot of depth to the team with outfielder Chris Young and shortstop Jed Lowrie. Young has superstar potential but has yet to live up to it, can he blossom in the crowded A's outfield that includes Cespedes, Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick.

5) Houston Astros

So, the Astros lost over 100 games in the National League, now they're in the American League. I think that's  all you need to know.

With Michael Bourn Officially Out of the Picture. Meet Your Met Outfield

The last big time free agent on the market, Michael Bourn, finally signed last night and as expected it wasn't with the Mets.

Sandy and the front office weren't willing to give up their 11th overall pick in next years draft, so Michael took the 4 year, 48 million dollar deal from the Cleveland Indians. In my opinion, Bourn was one of my top free agents. I valued him higher than BJ Upton.

Guy is a legit leadoff hitter, something you can't find out there easily. Really could've fit well in centerfield and been a nice igniter at the top of the lineup. But, it is what it is.

We already lost Scott Hairston, so an already untalented outfield is even less talented. I honestly can't even go position by position with you in the outfield, because I have absolutely no clue where any of these guys are going to play in the outfield, so I'm just going to throw the names on you.

The Probable Opening Day Outfield -

1. Lucas Duda - 2012 Stats: .239 AVG, 15 HRs, 57 RBIs, .329 OBP, .389 SLG



Guys and Gals... It's not good, at all, if Lucas Duda is you're best offensive option in the outfield. His 2012 had a promising start until he hit an absolute wall and was eventually sent down. The Mets love the guy, I want to also, but I haven't consistently seen it. Lets not even get into his defense. He will most likely be the everyday right fielder

2. Mike Baxter - 2012 Stats: 89 Games, .263 AVG, 3 HRs, 17 RBIs, .365 OBP, 14 Doubles



This one is extremely simple. Mike Baxter is a bench player, yes he made one of the most iconic catches in Mets history to save Johan's no-hitter, but he is a bench player. His offensive numbers in 89 games scream bench player. He is the exact same player as Eric Valent, Endy Chavez and Damian Easley. There is no excuse for this guy to be the second best option in the outfield. However, look for him in left field on opening day.

3. Jordany Valdespin - 2012 Stats: 94 Games, .241 AVG, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs, 10 SBs



Here is one glimmer of hope. I think Valdespin is going to be the center fielder on opening day. The guy is like a rabid pitbull, a huge ball of energy who doesn't know when to quit. He had a shit ton of big home runs and hits last season. But was that all smoke and mirrors? Can he do it consistently? Also can he fully convert to center field since he came up as an infielder?

The Bench

1. Collin Cowgill - 2012 Combined Major/Minor Stats: .259 AVG, 5 HRs, 46 RBIs



I liked this under the radar pickup by Sandy. I want to like Collin, he was a pretty high thought of prospect with the D-Backs, he was in the Trevor Cahill deal in 2011. Problem for Collin though was since he couldn't crack the Oakland outfield last year, there was definitely no shot of him doing it this year. However, I just don't see the numbers and it's not like he's 20-22 years old. This guy is 26, he's Mike Baxter at best.

2. Kirk Nieuwenhuis - 2012 Stats: .252 AVG, 7 HRs, 28 RBIs



Nieuwen-jew as I like to call him is the wild card. This guy has to become the player people think he can be. He's a very solid defender and he can be a good leadoff hitter, he reminds me of Nate McClouth. The problem here is consistency, it's the same story, he started off well and completely fell off until the injury ended his year. Also, notice how the only stats I put up were his average, HRs, and RBIs. That's because his other numbers were extremely unimpressive. He strikes out too much, he doesn't walk enough and he doesn't steal bases. He has some tools though and they need to blossom fast.

The Longshots

1. Marlon Byrd - 2012 Stats: Wasted Year



Marlon Byrd simply is a guy who has not recovered from getting drilled in the head. He was a very solid player for many years and since Dice-K drilled him he hasn't been the same. Mets people say he should bounce back but what else do you really expect them say? He's worth keeping an eye on in the spring.

2. Andrew Brown - 2012 Minors Stats: 100 Games, .308 AVG, 24 HRs, 98 RBIs, 81 Runs



Another Cowgill type of under the radar move here was Andrew Brown from the Rockies. If we're going solely by numbers, Brown is the best option anywhere. Problem is, it was minor league stats and I honestly never heard anything about this guy being a top Rockies prospect in the past. Again worth keeping an eye on, maybe can break in with the club if he hits well.

3. Matt den Dekker - 2012 Minors Stats: .274 AVG, 17 HRs, 76 RBIs, 21 SBs

I loved this kid from before the Mets ever drafted him. Watched a lot of him at the University of Florida and this can absolutely go get it, just watch the videos. There's a video from the College World Series in 2010 that for some reason I can't get on here, but this was the catch that put him on my map. This guy is the future in center field for the Mets, but the question is will it be at some point this season or more likely next season?

Bold Baseball Predictions (American League)

Alright, there's exactly two weeks to go in the season and with the new "second wild card" things are just that, wild.

So with that, if you need to make some money (more likely lose some money) here's my predictions for everything in the American League.

Division and Wild Card Winners...

AL East - Yankees

OK, I've been saying it for a while, only one team from the AL East is getting in. Tampa was eliminated in my mind last week when Baltimore swept them. Baltimore is going to be there until the end, but I think the game of musical chairs in the starting rotation will catch them down the stretch here and the Yankees will slither in.

AL Central - Tigers

The Tigers are three games back; losing on Monday to the White Sox was huge, but this team is so much more talented than them. They have the best pitcher in the game (Justin Verlander), and the best hitter in the game (Miguel Cabrera). It's time to wake up.

AL West - Rangers

I honestly think the Rangers are the most overrated team in baseball. I have no clue how this team is still in first. Their starting pitching is not good; they don't have an ace. The offense is still potent, but not like it used to be. I really wouldn't be surprised if the A's could catch them, but I'll keep Texas atop the west.

Wild Cards - Athletics, Angels

The A's will make the playoffs barring a huge collapse. I've been on the Angels for a while, they're 19-6 their last 25 games. Even though they haven't made up ground during that span, they're hot, they have a surplus of pitching and they have Mr. Trout.

The Awards...

AL Cy Young - Jered Weaver (Angels)

Even though he's missed a little bit of time, he's been money during this nice run and if they make the playoffs he'll be a huge reason why.

AL Rookie of the Year - Mike Trout (Angels)

Rookie of the Year isn't even a discussion

AL MVP - Trout

However, the MVP is quite interesting. If the Tigers make the playoffs and Cabrera wins the triple crown, it's him. If the Angels don't make the playoffs and the Rangers do then it's Josh Hamilton. If Baltimore gets in and Adam Jones is the reason why, maybe its him.

But like I said, the Angels are getting in and its not because of Pujols. It'll be because of this 21 year old.

***Check back tomorrow for the National League... Spoiler Alert, the Mets aren't winning the East